She took a deep breath, and smiled.
“You have a water phobia?” She asked Caitie. At least she could remember that. “That’s really brave,” Autumn said, glancing at Caitie, whose lips were tightly closed. “My mom had a phobia about flying, so I know how bad it can be to face them.”
“Thank you.” Caitie’s expression softened. “I’m getting there.”
“And I love your baby’s dress,” Autumn said to Harper, whose little girl was bouncing around on her lap in a frothy yellow and white sundress. “It’s so pretty.”
“She makes all of her own baby clothes,” Ember told her. “And a lot of Arthur’s too.”
Harper kissed her baby’s downy head. “Do you have children?” she asked.
Autumn shook her head. “No kids.” She took a deep breath. They were all being so friendly. She didn’t want to be the one to clam up. “I’m recently divorced, so no prospect of them in the near future either.”
“I’m really sorry.” Ember’s expression was thoughtful. “I know how hard breakups can be.”
“Here’s your coffee,” Ally passed it to her. “And help yourself to pastries. Freshly made.”
Autumn sat on the blanket and sipped her latte, listening to the other women as they talked about work, boyfriends, and families. They asked her questions and she answered them openly, but for the most part she was happy to sit and observe. Ally reminded her a little of her sister, Lydia. She was forthright and funny and a little bit wild. Brooke was motherly and calm, always making sure everybody was happy. And Ember was friendly and welcoming, or as much as she could be when Arthur was constantly crawling everywhere and she had to chase him.
“Have you been invited to join the Angel
Sands Chamber of Commerce yet?” Caitie asked her.
“Not yet. Should I be happy about that?”
Caitie shrugged. “It’s not so bad. It’s run by Frank Megassey. He owns Megassey’s Hardware store on Main Street. I think he’s been running the chamber for the last two hundred years.”
Autumn laughed.
“Don’t let him suck you in,” Ally warned. “Before you know it you’ll be running the Angel Day Fair and organizing for the Christmas lights to be strung along the boardwalk. If you see him coming, run.”
“Frank’s okay,” Caitie told her. “Apart from the fact he talks a lot.”
“You can sit in the back with Caitie and me,” Ally reassured her. “We just eat cupcakes and heckle.”
“You heckle,” Caitie pointed out. “I sit there and look pretty.”
“Who’s pretty?” a deep voice asked. Autumn looked up to see a tall, dark-haired man grinning down at them. His hair and body were wet, droplets clinging to his skin, and he was holding a surf board in his hands.
“I am,” Caitie told him, grinning. “Or at least I should be to you.”
“And you are.” He leaned down to kiss her nose. “How are you holding up, baby?”
“I’m good. Autumn’s been distracting me. Autumn, this is Breck, my fiancé.”
Autumn reached her hand out. “It’s good to meet you.”
“You too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” She should be used to the small-town talk by now. But it still shocked how everybody knew each others’ business.
Then she saw Lucas walk up behind him and recognized her new landlord immediately, from when he and Ember helped her move into the cottage.
And behind him was Griff, wearing a half-wetsuit unzipped and hanging from his waist, exposing his tan, muscular chest and oh-so-broad shoulders. She felt her stomach do a flip.
“Hey, Autumn.” Lucas gave her a wave, and she grinned back.
Griff’s eyes locked with hers, and her lips curled up. “Hi,” he said with a smile that sent her pulse racing.